Heterocyclization and Spirocyclization Processes Based on Domino Reactions of N -Tosylhydrazones and Boronic Acids Involving Intramolecular Allylborylations of Nitriles

Polycyclic molecules featuring all-carbon quaternary bridgehead centers were synthesized through domino cyclizations between N-tosylhydrazones and boronic acids. Variations of the general cascade have been applied for the preparation of 3-quinuclidinones and related alkaloid-like scaffolds through transannular heterocyclizations. Moreover, the employment of 3-cyanopropyl and 4-cyanobutylboronic acids and ,-unsaturated N-tosylhydrazones led to spirocycles through unprecedented formal [n+1] cyclizations, including the stereoselective spirocyclization of the Hajos-Parrish ketone. The common feature of all the new reactions described is the creation of an all-carbon quaternary center by formation of two Csp(3)-C bonds on the hydrazonic carbon atom. DFT-based calculations suggested the occurrence of cascade processes, which involve a diazo compound carboborylation followed by a 1,3-borotropic rearrangement on an intermediate allylboronic acid and a novel bora-aza-ene cyclization.